Although once thought to be an inner-city problem, gang violence has spread to communities throughout the United States. At last count, there were more than 24,500 different youth gangs around the country, and more than 772,500 teens and young adults were members of gangs.1 Youth gangs are responsible for much of the serious violence in the United States. In schools and neighborhoods where they are active, they create a climate of fear and increase the amount of violence and criminal behavior.
What is a gang?
A gang is a group of teens and young adults that hang out together and are involved in joint violent, illegal, or criminal activity. They generally give themselves a common name or symbol, and they often choose to wear a certain type of clothing or to display some other identifying item.
After reading the article, do your own research on the topic of gang violence and summarize your findings here. Be sure to cite the sources of the information you found.
Information to look for: what attracts people to join gangs, why do gangs commit violence, what can be done to stop the violence?
3/7/07
Gang violence is a serious issue. The majority of violent incidents are from fights over turf, status, and revenge. Lots of cities in the world have been proclaimed the gang capital. New York is said to have over 30,000 gang members. Shootings have increased because of the availability of guns. In the city of Los Angeles, there are approximately 407 gangs with over 56,000 members. Gangs are account for 51% of all homicides in Los Angeles County. The majority of gang homicides are done with handguns. http://www.vpcla.org/factGang.htm
-Nathan
Eric Furtado
03/08/07
There is a large amount of gang violence in the United States. A gang is a group of teens and young adults that hang out together and are involved in joint violent, illegal, or criminal activity. Every state reports gang activity. While only 14% of teens are gang members, 89% of teens in gangs are responsible for committing serious crimes. The level of gang violence is increasing. People join gangs for excitement, prestige, protection or a feel of belonging. To be safe, be aware of clothing, colors, and symbols used by gangs in your area, and avoid them. http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/gangs.asp
More than half of gang members are male and the rest are female. There are more than 772,000 gangs in our country. Many people believe gang wars occur over drugs. However, many gang wars are fights over turf, status, and revenge. Shootings in gangs have increased because the availability of guns is larger and more gun designs are created every day. Gangs are now more organized, violent, and more widespread than ever before. Gangs don’t only affect law enforcement they also effect towns and their community.
Los Angeles, overall crime actually decreased for the fifth consecutive year. Yet at the same time, gang crime increased in 2006. Many gangs were born in LA, the Bloods and the Crips, MS-13, and 18th Street. gangs are spreading to communities across America. For example, MS-13 was born in Los Angeles, but has spread across 33 states and four foreign countries. There are now over 30,000 gangs across America, and over 800,000 gang members. The vast majority of violent incidents involving gang members continue to result from fights over turf, status, and revenge. Most gang members are not drug dealers and most of LA gangs are not organized in drug distribuition.
Although once thought to be an inner-city problem, gang violence has spread to communities throughout the United States. At last count, there were more than 24,500 different youth gangs around the country, and more than 772,500 teens and young adults were members of gangs.1 Youth gangs are responsible for much of the serious violence in the United States. In schools and neighborhoods where they are active, they create a climate of fear and increase the amount of violence and criminal behavior.
What is a gang?
A gang is a group of teens and young adults that hang out together and are involved in joint violent, illegal, or criminal activity. They generally give themselves a common name or symbol, and they often choose to wear a certain type of clothing or to display some other identifying item.Read the rest of the introduction to this topic at: gangs http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/gangs.asp.
After reading the article, do your own research on the topic of gang violence and summarize your findings here. Be sure to cite the sources of the information you found.
Information to look for: what attracts people to join gangs, why do gangs commit violence, what can be done to stop the violence?
3/7/07
Gang violence is a serious issue. The majority of violent incidents are from fights over turf, status, and revenge. Lots of cities in the world have been proclaimed the gang capital. New York is said to have over 30,000 gang members. Shootings have increased because of the availability of guns. In the city of Los Angeles, there are approximately 407 gangs with over 56,000 members. Gangs are account for 51% of all homicides in Los Angeles County. The majority of gang homicides are done with handguns.
http://www.vpcla.org/factGang.htm
-Nathan
Eric Furtado
03/08/07
There is a large amount of gang violence in the United States. A gang is a group of teens and young adults that hang out together and are involved in joint violent, illegal, or criminal activity. Every state reports gang activity. While only 14% of teens are gang members, 89% of teens in gangs are responsible for committing serious crimes. The level of gang violence is increasing. People join gangs for excitement, prestige, protection or a feel of belonging. To be safe, be aware of clothing, colors, and symbols used by gangs in your area, and avoid them.
http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/gangs.asp
More than half of gang members are male and the rest are female. There are more than 772,000 gangs in our country. Many people believe gang wars occur over drugs. However, many gang wars are fights over turf, status, and revenge. Shootings in gangs have increased because the availability of guns is larger and more gun designs are created every day. Gangs are now more organized, violent, and more widespread than ever before. Gangs don’t only affect law enforcement they also effect towns and their community.
http://www.vpcla.org/factGang.htm
http://www.safestate.org/index.cfm?navID=12
Naomi
Los Angeles, overall crime actually decreased for the fifth consecutive year. Yet at the same time, gang crime increased in 2006. Many gangs were born in LA, the Bloods and the Crips, MS-13, and 18th Street. gangs are spreading to communities across America. For example, MS-13 was born in Los Angeles, but has spread across 33 states and four foreign countries. There are now over 30,000 gangs across America, and over 800,000 gang members. The vast majority of violent incidents involving gang members continue to result from fights over turf, status, and revenge. Most gang members are not drug dealers and most of LA gangs are not organized in drug distribuition.
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/speeches/mueller011807.htm
Derek